Book Review

Introduction

Tankograd Publishing has sent Armorama review samples of their latest publications to be released. In this review I will be taking a look at the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams release. This is the first in a new series from Tankograd Publishing aimed specifically at the modeller and an interesting introduction it is. I have included an introduction on this series at the end of this review from the Tankograd Publishing website.

The M1A2 Abrams with System Enhancement Package (SEP) Version 2 combines overwhelming firepower with the latest technology, resulting in a highly manoeuvrable and versatile tank built to handle current and future combat scenarios. The M1A2 SEP V2 upgrades include most notably a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) II, mounted on the Gunner's Primary Sight housing in front of the commander's hatch. The much demanded Tank-Infantry Phone (TIP) is now mounted on the right rear of the vehicle. Further modernisation aspects are reflected in, among others, improved gunner's controls and display panel, improved driver's integrated display, improved hull and mission processing units, improved commander's electronics unit, improved fire control electronic unit, improved battery monitoring system, six-pack battery APU, 1,000A alternator, voltage regulator, and upgraded transmission.
This publication shows this brand-new asset of the US Armored Corps in detail and close up - ideal for modellers and US Army vehicle enthusiasts.

Contents

This book from Tankograd Publishing consists of;
Quantity Photos and Illustrations:
Illustrated with 75 colour photographs
Text – Language:
English text
Number of Pages:
40

Review

This title from Tankograd Publishing is supplied with English text only, as opposed to the more usual duel language format. What most of us would consider as the conventional text only covers two pages, but with that said it does act as a good information sauce for the basics and as modellers it is sufficient I believe. The book does at first glance appear a little on the light side, but one look between the covers indicates that this is a perfect reference book on the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams for the modeller. It should also be pointed out that the text supplied with the photographs does provide additional information worth reading.

The feature that makes this such a good reference book on the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams are the pictures. The photographs are full colour and in perfect focus, the exterior of the vehicle is covered very well with great photographs of the tank from all sides. There are no interior images of the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams as regards the crew area in this publication, but Tankograd Publishing has done a great job of covering the engine bay minus its power pack. The series of pictures showing the engine bay does provide some terrific reference of just what this little seen area of the Abrams looks like right down to the weathering; I know there are some very good resin offering available replicating the power pack for which this reference will be a great tool to have.

In addition to the engine bay Tankograd Publishing has not overlooked other very specific areas of the Abrams that will be of interest to the modeller who likes to get the little details just right. Areas such as the infantry phone, various turret weapons station set up, rear light cluster and training devices such as Miles II coming in for special attention.

Conclusion

For any modeller tackling the eagerly sort Dragon Models M1A2 SEP Abrams offerings, this publication from Tankograd Publishing will be a fantastic resource to have to hand. The cost is reasonable for what you get and so I highly recommend you seek this book out if an Abrams build is on the horizon.

About Fast Track

For the devoted military vehicle enthusiast, the name ‘Tankograd' means excellent research, top-quality photographs and a competitive price. These are cornerstones of our publishing realm. To achieve these goals it often takes months, years or even decades to compile the necessary amount of written and pictorial information to make it into print according to Tankograd's high standards.
Yet even the most devoted concept has to adapt to the tides of time. In recent years for the modelling market - and modellers are among our biggest fans and best customers - the pace at which new models have been released onto the market has sped up considerably. In addition, the number of model kits that cover more and more exotic topics has begun to grow rapidly. The result was that Tankograd with its ‘comprehensive research takes time' approach was in many cases not able to cope with unannounced new kit releases, and we had to abandon too many projects simply because they ran out of time after a model had been released to the market.

This new series, Tankograd In Detail : Fast Track, was thus created to rapidly react to new plastic models arriving quickly on the scene, new vehicles entering service, and to generally deal with vehicle types that would not have made it into a full Tankograd-style book for reasons such as limited large-print-run appeal. The Tankograd Fast Track series will include monographs in our well-known, detailed style, but it will also include subjects such as rare vehicles, action-oriented topics and markings. All photographs in Tankograd Fast Track will be large size, preferably full page, for maximum visibility of details for modellers.

The advantages of Tankograd Fast Track thus become apparent: Release dates are closer to actual events, there is wider coverage of exotic topics, and a cover price that appeals to all modellers. All this with Tankograd's usual high-level research and top pictorial quality! To keep the new series on the ‘fast track', Tankograd Fast Track titles are limited to a sales run of 999 copies each.

SUMMARY

Highs: Very high quality pictures of the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams exterior.Lows: I would have liked to see a little more on the track width and full width mine plow attachments covered, although that is a personal area of interest.Verdict: A great pictorial reference for anyone tackling the Abrams now or in the future. Highly recommended.

Our Thanks to Tankograd Publishing!This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Got mine yesterday and I think it's an excellent reference with in-depth background info supplementing all the great quality photos.
Got my DEF Models upgrade kit and 4 Dragon M1A2 kits bunkered in my stash so I'm ready to go ... after I finish my M109A6 and the upcoming PzHaubitze 2000 and .......
Great book for a very reasonable price ... apparently there will only be 999 printed if I read the intro correctly so everybody interested in this book might want to get moving.
Cheers
Christopher

Hi Chris, I would suggest to wait with the M109A6 model for some days as this is on our list for one of the next issues. I just finished three Fast Tracks which will get released soon. Another three are also in the pipeline. Unfortunately interior photos of the latest U.S. vehicles is pretty difficult.